Chapter 61: What a Bunch of Fucking Assholes!

December 14, 2002, Chicago, Illinois

🎤 Jesse

"Prepare to be smoked!" Nicole declared when I skated out to warm up.

"I thought you and Mikey were exclusive!" I teased.

Nicole rolled her eyes, "You're toast, Block!"

"Bring it, Heath!" I challenged.

"Hi, Jesse!" Mikey declared, skating up to us.

"Hey, Mikey! Lunch after the game?"

"You're on!"

He and Nicole skated to their end, and I joined Pete to stretch.

"How long have they been dating?" Pete asked.

"A few years," I replied. "They're permanent, for sure. Hopefully, they'll go to UW-Madison so we can hang out more."

"You were on the same team before High School, right?"

"For about five years. Mikey and I roomed together at tournaments."

"I think he has a better deal now!" Pete said with a grin.

"Yeah," I chuckled. "By a long shot!"

When we finished stretching, we took turns in net blocking shots that came fast and furious from our own teammates. The horn sounded, and Pete collected the pucks while everyone else skated to the bench. Coach gave us his usual pep talk, and then both first lines took their positions as the referee skated to center ice.

I wasn't surprised when Nicole skated to her wing position and pointed at the goal like Babe Ruth pointing to where he was going to hit a home run. I chuckled but then steeled myself because I knew she was going to bring everything she had. The puck dropped, Oak Park won the face-off, and after a quick pass from Mikey, Nicole skated into our zone.

Freddie skated backwards in front of her, trying to poke away the puck. He played it perfectly, and she knew she had no shot, so she dumped the puck back to Mikey at the blue line. She skated towards me as he fired a shot from long range, obviously hoping for a rebound. I saw the puck the whole way and snagged it out of the air with my catching glove for a face-off to my right.

We won the face-off and managed to get the puck into their zone, but their tight D didn't give us a shot, and they tried to break out, though Mike poked the puck away from one of their wingers at center ice, and there was a scramble for the loose puck. Nicole got it, but simply fired it in because they wanted a line change. I stopped the puck and fired a long pass across the blue line to Tom, who skated in against just a single defenseman. He got off a good shot, but the Oak Park goalie turned it away, and another scramble ensued in the corner.

We changed our D, and Oak Park managed to clear the puck to center, with DeShawn gathering in the puck, which allowed us to change our O while Oak Park changed their D. It went that way, back and forth, up and down the ice, with a lot of time spent in the neutral zone, for the rest of the period. I stopped a total of four shots and the Oak Park Goalie five, resulting in a 0–0 score at the end of the first period.

🎤 Steve

"Oak Park is really trying hard to make our guys the Bears, not the Dolphins," Josie observed, referring to Miami having a perfect NFL season in '72 and the Bears coming up one game shy in '85.

"The Bears won more games than Miami," I countered.

"And yet..." Josie said.

"Our D is playing tough, and Nicole hasn't had a shot except on the dump-in," I observed. "Mikey has two."

"Jesse was psyched this morning," Libby said. "He really wants to stop Nicole."

"Of course!" Natalie exclaimed from behind me. "They've been blood enemies on the ice since they started High School!"

"Shouldn't you be sitting in the Oak Park section?" Jennifer asked with a smirk.

"Those rules are so dumb!" Natalie declared. "I can't cheer for my sister if I'm sitting here with all my friends. And I'd rather sit with all of you than my parents!"

"They put the rules in place because there were altercations," Josie interjected.

"Because hockey moms are NUTS!" I declared.

"There might be some truth to that," Jennifer agreed, laughing softly. "Josie is pretty intense!"

"Oh, please!" Josie protested. "You're every bit as intense!"

"Maybe," Jennifer allowed with a smile.

"We need to find a way to score!" Tom declared from the other side of Josie.

"You can score easily!" Libby whispered to me, knowing Bethany, sitting to Tom's right, would object to her comment.

"We'll talk," I replied quietly.

The horn sounded, and the kids came back on the ice. The second period was very much like the first — a tough defensive struggle with neither team able to gain a serious advantage and no penalties. There were a total of seven shots, with Jesse making three saves and the Oak Park goalie four, resulting in a 0–0 tie at the end of two periods.

🎤 Jesse

"Men, we need to find a way to score," Coach Nelson declared. "Their D is playing us tough, just as ours is playing them tough. Dump-and-chase is not working for either side, and both sides are killing the passing lanes. We need to look for opportunities for break-out passes and take them, even if the passes are a bit riskier than usual. D-men, you need to stay sharp, look for your forwards, and guard your ice! Let's get out there and take it to them!"

"RAH!" everyone shouted.

We hit the ice for the third period, ready to take it to Oak Park. We were both safely in the playoffs and wouldn't meet in the group stage. They were determined to beat us, which would improve their position in their group but wouldn't affect ours. And they were driven by the idea of wrecking our perfect season.

The game ultimately came down to a pair of penalties. We killed our penalty but scored on theirs, with Mitch scoring on a hard shot from the top of the circle to the goalie's right. We had to defend a six-on-five when Oak Park pulled their goalie with about seventy seconds left in the game, but Freddy blocked a shot by Nicole, and I saved a hard slapshot from her line-mate at the buzzer to seal the 1–0 win.

"You suck!" Nicole said when we bumped gloves.

"Never once in my life," I chuckled. "I doubt YOU can say that!"

She laughed and stuck her tongue out at me, which no coach could see because her back was to the bench and she was wearing the mandatory cage mask.

"See you in the playoffs, Jesse!" Mikey said as we bumped gloves. "We'll get you then!"

After the handshakes, which were always fist bumps as we weren't allowed to remove any gear while on the ice, we skated off the ice and went to the locker room for showers.

🎤 Steve

Libby and I moved away from everyone else while we were waiting for the kids to come out of the locker room.

"What will it take to get a 'yes' to being wildly fucked by an enthusiastic teenage girl?" Libby asked with an inviting smile.

"Before I answer, I need to let you know that this weekend is basically booked solid because I have plans this afternoon, and on Sunday, we're all going to Matthew's concert, which is at 1:00pm, and next weekend, I'll be in San Francisco."

"I've waited this long, so I think I can be patient! Are you saying 'yes'?"

"You understand my reluctance, right?"

"You're concerned about my relationship with Jesse. It's also the case you have access to ridiculous amounts of teenage pussy, so it's not special, at least in that regard."

"Your relationship with Jesse is the primary concern."

"But the second one is true, too! I'm not offended, obviously! Jesse has more action than any five guys I know!"

"Does Jesse know you're asking?" I asked.

"Yes. He and I aren't lovers and aren't likely to be. I want an arrangement like yours, with a girl and a guy; well, before you brought in Suzanne. Jesse doesn't want that."

"None of my kids do, at least as far as I'm aware."

"If the weekends are out, it could be a weekday before 4:00pm," Libby said.

"In case you haven't noticed, I haven't agreed!"

"In case you haven't noticed, you haven't said 'no'!"

I chuckled, "You appear to have benefitted from the Hangouts!"

"It's time to graduate! My first fuck with an actual adult, then Philosophy Club!"

"You're sure?"

"Seriously?" Libby asked, laughing softly. "Do teenage girls who offer to wildly fuck you not mean it?"

"I'm positive you mean it; what I'm asking is if you've considered the possible ramifications and are prepared to deal with them?"

"Jesse doesn't care, and we haven't been together in months and, as I said, won't be again. I'm seventeen, so the government won't care. I can't think of any downside. Well, unless you're concerned, you'll disappoint me!"

"You never know! How about after I come back from San Francisco? Sometime during Christmas break?"

"Deal! I promise I won't disappoint!"

🎤 Jesse

"We should hang out during Christmas break," Mikey said when he, Nicole, Zahra, and I were at lunch at Bacino's on Wacker after the game.

"Sure," I agreed. "I'll be in town the entire time, though we'll have visitors, including our Russian friends and my friend from Minnesota. Jerry and Mia will be in town, so they could hang out with us as well."

"Do you play any sports, Zahra?" Nicole asked.

"No. I stick to academics. I'm on the Debate Team and in the Young Scientists Club. But I'm at the Lab School, not at Kenwood Academy."

"She's Birgit's friend," I added.

"Jesse, you're still looking at UW-Madison, right?" Mikey asked.

"Yes, but no plans to play for the NCAA team. I'll play for the club team. You two are still looking to play for an NCAA team, right?"

"Yes, but because of the dumb NCAA rules, we can't have any official discussions until recruitment begins, which is next year, when we're all Seniors. I bet you get attention from scouts."

I shrugged, "Maybe, but given it's so difficult to make the NHL, I think focusing on my grades and playing club hockey is a wiser plan."

"I just want the money for school," Nicole said. "Otherwise, I'll end up borrowing money, which I don't want to do. Mikey, on the other hand, wants to start for the Blackhawks!"

"What are you going to study?" Zahra asked.

"Pre-med," Nicole replied. "I want to be a pediatrician. What about you?"

"I'm actually considering research, similar to Jesse's Aunt Kara, but biochem instead of polymers."

"You're a Freshman, right?" Nicole asked.

"Yes. And you're both Juniors, right?"

"Yes."

"You're a couple, right?" Zahra asked.

"For a few years. You guys are dating?"

"Yes," Zahra replied, "but we're not a couple. And I'm really only allowed to go out with the group, except for hockey games."

"Your parents are strict?"

"Not as bad as some, but Muslim parents are very, very conservative. Do you go to church?"

"We're both Catholic," Mikey replied. "But we're not too serious about it. Not as serious as Jesse is about his church, anyway."

We finished our lunches, Zahra and I said 'goodbye' to Mikey and Nicole, then headed back to the Compound.

🎤 Birgit

"I had my test," Tomás said when I met him at the diner across from the hospital after his game.

He handed me the form, which showed all negatives, and I handed it back.

"Unfortunately, I have plans today and tomorrow," I said. "And I do have one important thing I have to tell you. The year after next, I'm going to Sweden for a year, and I don't think it's wise to try to maintain a long-distance relationship, especially when I wouldn't see the person for a year."

"Does that mean you don't want to be my girlfriend?"

"It makes it complicated," I replied. "I can't really promise more than being friends with benefits, at least before my Senior year in High School."

"Are you saying that you'll fool around with me, but I'm still free to go out with other girls if I want to?"

"Yes, and I could go out with other guys. No jealousy. Maybe something comes of it, maybe it doesn't. But one thing is guaranteed."

"What's that?"

"You'll be a VERY happy boy!"

"When?" Tomás asked.

"How about next Saturday afternoon? You could even spend the night if you could find a way to swing it."

"I don't think that would work. If my parents ever found out, I'd be toast!"

"I understand. And some important information — I'm on the Pill, so you don't need rubbers."

"Better and better!" Tomás declared. "What time?"

"It would be after my afternoon karate class, so about 2:30pm? You could stay as late as you're allowed, and if it's past curfew, someone would drive you home."

"I have to be home by 11:00pm anyway."

"OK. Nine hours should be enough!" I declared with an inviting smile.

[Aurora, Illinois]
🎤 Matthew

"Maggie seemed really weird last night," Chelsea observed as we walked along the sidewalk in our subdivision.

"You know the issue," I said. "And there's no resolution I can think of. Well, no acceptable resolution. Honestly, I don't think there's anything to do at this point except not hang out with her. It sucks, but tell me another solution? She's totally fixated on something that can never, ever happen."

"I'm concerned she might become depressed because what she desires is futile."

"And this is where I say 'resistance is futile?" I smirked.

"Except that contradicts what you've been saying!"

"Duh," I chuckled. "It was meant to be goofy. But you're right about the risk of depression. I wonder if we should say something to her parents?"

"Maybe say something to your mom or Eduardo and let one of them, or both, speak to Maggie's parents."

"That probably makes sense," I agreed. "Did you finalize the plans for Ohio for after Christmas?"

"Yes. We'll drive down on the 27th. That way, we can spend Boxing Day at your dad's house so you can see all the grandparents. We'll get together with Pavel and Larisa that evening, then spend the next day with the same gang who went to the zoo. On the 29th, we'll get together with my friends from High School, then drive back on the 30th so we can go to the party Josh and Arby have planned."

"Sounds good to me!"

"I saw on your mom's calendar that tomorrow is your dad's anniversary."

"Yes, but Mom said that they're actually celebrating the trio on the day they married Suzanne, July 7th. And Aunt Jessica won't be with us tonight because she has to work. That's why she was at the concert on Thursday night."

"That entire setup is very strange!" Chelsea declared.

"Stranger than my cousin, who was almost four years older, declaring she was going to marry me when I was five?"

"Well, when you put it that way..."

[Chicago, Illinois]
🎤 Birgit

"Cool apartment!" Tiffany exclaimed when we walked into Rachel's apartment near UofC at about 3:00pm.

"I think so!" Rachel declared. "I was really happy that Samantha allowed me to move in this month."

"But the condo was so sweet!" Hannah protested.

"Two little kids basically cramped my style!" Rachel declared. "Don't get me wrong, I love Benjamin and Megan, but I am SO not ready to have kids, and they were always underfoot."

"When does Javon move in?" Naomi asked.

"After Christmas. His parents will totally object, so he wants to keep the family peace during the holidays."

"They don't object to him dating you, right?" I asked.

"No, but they will object to us living together without being married. I'm not ready to get married, either."

"Duh!" Hannah declared. "You're only eighteen!"

"Actually, not until January 10th," Rachel countered. "But close enough."

"And you start at UofC in January, right?" Fangsu asked.

"Yes. I'm basically taking all electives, as the Freshman courses I need start in the Fall. I'll have Birgit's mom for chemistry and maybe your dad for math."

"Maybe," Fangsu replied. "He does teach Introduction to Calculus."

"What are we doing today?" Laurie asked.

"Pizza, music, and games," Rachel declared.

"Sounds great!" I exclaimed.

🎤 Jesse

"The friend from Minnesota who is visiting is the girl who visited before, right?" Zahra asked as we got out of bed.

"Yes."

"And she's going to sleep in your bed with you?"

"Probably."

"I wish that was me," Zahra said as we got into the shower. "But there's no way I could. She's in college, right?"

"Yes. Are you bothered by that?"

"No. I knew the score before we went to bed together. You won't convert to Islam, and I can't leave my faith, so all we can be is lovers. And I don't want to stop!"

"Me, either!"

"I am jealous, but only because she can sleep in your bed with you. Someday, I want to do that, but I don't know if it would ever be possible."

"Don't take any risks, please."

"No way! I don't want to have to stop!"

We showered, dried ourselves, then dressed. We went out of the coach house, got into Aunt Jessica's BMW, and drove Zahra home before heading to Oak Park for my date with Missy.

🎤 Steve

"How are things going?" I asked Danielle when she got into my BMW at Trinity.

"I was politely invited to leave Trinity at the end of the semester," she said as I pulled away from the curb.

"On what possible grounds?"

"I was disfellowshipped by my church for moral failings. Trinity has a morals clause, and Pastor Dwight contacted them. I told them you can't kick someone out who has already quit!"

"Does that cause problems for you now or in the future?"

"Nobody is supposed to associate with me, but Talia doesn't care, and this coming week is exam week, so no big deal. I move in with Tabitha and John on the 23rd. We'll celebrate Christmas together. Is it OK if I come to the New Year's party?"

"Absolutely."

"I might have a date if that's OK."

"It is. Mind if I ask who?"

"A guy who works with John at TTX. It's a blind date, but I figured a large party would be perfect."

"What does he do at TTX?" I asked.

"I could make a joke about you being a 'dad' or a 'big brother' asking that question, but given what we're about to do, I'm not sure that would be a good idea!"

"Mentor with significant life experience?" I suggested.

"Much better! Anyway, he's Deputy Operations Manager. The only other thing I know about him is that he's thirty-two and just under six feet tall. But John says he's a really nice guy."

"I agree bringing him to the party is a safe way to meet."

"Can I ask why you didn't get in touch with Nadia?"

"Mainly because I was out of town and I've been busy. To be honest, I wasn't sure, but Kara is curious about the 'dark dreams' and encouraged me to."

"I think she should tell you," Danielle said. "But she's really hoping you'll message her. Black hair, short, thin but not skinny, and twenty years old."

"Is this important to you?" I asked.

"I wouldn't say it's important," Danielle said, "but I would appreciate it. I suppose you could call it a favor."

"Favors are the currency in my close relationships," I said.

"Is this where you say that some day, and that day may never come, you will call upon me to do a service for you?" she asked with a smile.

I laughed, "You're going to fit right in at the Compound."

"Honestly, I think Tabitha and I made the right decision to continue the relationship beyond just having our brains fucked out during an amazing first time. I think you can teach us a lot, and we certainly have a lot to learn about life. But that starts AFTER we spend the next fifteen hours fucking, sucking, and anything else you want to do!"

"I believe I can accommodate!" I replied. "As for the favor, is Nadia a friend from church or school?"